Events

Welcome to Unicron.com's coverage of Botcon 2012. As usual, the convention consisted of Transformers customizing classes, convention exclusive figures, exhibit floor overflowing with Transformers and of course dozens of lines a half a mile long each! (Actually, they've been getting better and better at managing crowd control. And with the number of people growing more and more every year, the organizers did a very fine job...)

Transformers Collector Club Panel:After the usual discussion of what's happened lately with Botcon and Fan Club, etc., organizers announce they will starting a “Figure Subscription Service.” Although the details/logistics haven't been fully worked out, the estimates are that it will be an annual service (pay 1/year) and they will ship 1 figure every 2 months. They are only going to produce an equal number that are ordered. (The implication being, keep an eye on those after-market values. They could go sky high for those that don't enroll in time. Pictures were shown of the figures to be released (seen within the gallery below.)

Hasbro Brand Panel:Unlike previous years, Hasbro seems to be cutting back more and more with what they reveal at their brand panel. Further there was only one Hasbro presentation, versus the 2-3 they've had in previous years. There was actually not a ton of new information that we hadn't heard before (like at ToyFair) presented. A summary is outlined below.

Transformers the Ride: May 24th 2012 in Univ. Studios Hollywood – Showed Evac characer art, and new deluxe Evac. Created in conjunction with Michael Bay / studios. Various exclusives for Universal Studios.

Prime DVD/blue ray out now...

RescueBots: nothing new discussed here. Just that it exists...

KRE-O: nothing new announced since ToyFair...

(TFP) Robots in Disguise Deluxe Wave: photos shown of Arachnid, Dead End, and Nighty-night (Shadow Strike) Bumblebee --no other reveals. Edit --aparently they showed photos of Deluxe Kup and Rumble. --There was not mention and no showings of forthcoming TFP Voyager figures such as Ratchet or Breakdown...

Generations: Voyager Thundertron from the new pirate faction, depicted in Transformers Exiles (soft cover novel)… He is the captian of this faction… looks like a blue white wolf. He looks a little like Snarl from the Unicron Trilogy series. His photo was shown next to the siloette image of 2 other Voyager toys --still unknown.

- Correct color Bruticus to be sold at mass retail anywhere? No. But bright colors in store- iTunes Season 2? No comment w/o Hasbro Studios-Transformation alone is not always a way to attract new toy buyers. Needed an expanded play value.- No unreleased movie three toys (back burner) --Movie Trilogy line is dead (for now)- Original 13 toys originally 1 per year. A.A. originally thought the books would be out more quickly. Still in the plans.- Universal Studio exclusives, currently only at Uni.Stud. with the rides (for now)- Generations line eventually a place for characters from Novel, IDW Comics…- Reveal the Shield Rumble & Frenzy in a toy line soon? “A resounding I don’t know.”- FOC Dinobot toys? “We’re not ready to say anything at this point. But there is no doubt that we know that this character is going to be extremely cool in the game and everybody’s going to want one.” All 5? – “… talk to him.” More "ALL FIVE" chants from crowd.- Generations Springer and Arcee? Arcee – no, Arcee focing on TFP. Springer – “On the short list”- Ironhide toy seen in Cyberverse. Will he be in the Prime TV show? Not in the show, but maybe other media… just wait and see.- No Current plans for unreleased TFA figures- Why did US get short changed for TFP first edition? Several First Edition figures at the top of their list to try to get released in one way or another.-If Hasbro Toy Shop is still a viable market for toy releases, why can’t anything that goes to market, why can’t they also be sold on HTS.com? Because we want to honor retailer arrangements, and not undercut them by offering everything online.

Hasbro - High Moon Studios/Activision PanelIn my opinion, one of the more interesting panels at this year's convention was the Activision/Fall of Cybertron presentation. In addition to video game development and marketers from Activision, Aaron Archer, Hasbro IP was on hand to talk about his vision for the new "aligned continuity" and how stories from the game interconnect with continuity of Transformers: Prime, the novels (Exodus and Exiles). In addition, we were impressed with the level of thought and energy that has gone into imagining the history and environments of Cybertron. See for yourself in the videos below.

Transformers Hall of Fame: Dinner/Awards DinnerFor many of us, a huge highlight of the convention was the Transformers Hall of Fame dinner ceremony. Shown below you'll see us, the Lukis brothers, along with a few of the site administrators Sabrblade (Miles -center) and TriPredRavage (Cliff middle, right) joining in the festivities. Personally, I was a little shocked when they announced the winner of the Fan's Choice award was Wheeljack! What did you think of that? --It's the first time a G1 character has won the contest. That he actually beat out Beast Wars Megatron, Sky-byte, and Arcee (of all Generations...!) Wow. We were all moved when a daughter of the late Chris Latta (G1 Starscream) gave her acceptance speech, on behalf of her father. It was a great moment.

Well, we made it to Botcon 2012 and cranked away a couple hundred pictures for you all on the Showroom floor of all the official displays. We'll keep adding to this gallery as new transformers are added to the showcases. We're looking forward to seeing what fills in empty display case spots throughout the weekend.

• Hasbro Studios produced shows are now being seen on over 140 networks across the globe.• Not just a “toy-show” we are wanting to to create a world and relm that sustain long-term interest with fans. • >330 new half hour shows coming in 2012. Well over 600 hours already produced That’s more than any other studio in the world producing programming for kids.• 6 new shows including Transformers Rescue Bots; My Little Pony: transcending age demographics! 20-30-something watching it too! Followed by clips from upcoming seasons of Duel Masters Kaijudo & Duel Masters.• Rescue Bots: 4 young Autobots living among people learning together, footage shown, intro of Jeff Kline (in the audience) producer of both Rescue Bots and Transformers Prime series, stands to applause… • Transformers Prime: Needs little introduction. New second season starting 2/18. Then treated to new footage from Season 2…Knockout and breakdown… “We’ll be sure to tell the big O (referring to Orion/Optimus) you said hello!” Arcee follows them into ground bridge back to Deception's base… Another eye-popping fight scene, Arcee in action.

Transformers The Ride: Opens universal studios Hollywood in May.• Gift shop willl include 6 new Transformers toys: Evac, deluxe scale and legion. Each on its own packaging• Universal studios to include deluxe OP and BB, Voyager OP and Megatron

Movie Trilogy Set: Basically discontinued --crowd in stunned silence...• Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Ratchet Soundwave these will be available in Asia only!• Deluxe Optimus Prime: the line's lone non-casualty. WILL be available in U.S.

Transformers Prime: March 6, DVD on Blu Ray• Enhanced e-book Apps• Toys: Launch March 1• Regarding "First Edition" Wave 2 Deluxe/Voyagers “This one is on us. We will get thes out later in 2012 in some form or another."

GENERATIONS: Probably the highlight of the presentation, since nothing new was seen during TF:Prime portion • Revamp! FoC game coming in the fall. Great new stories coming... • Talked about comics growing, story getting better, electronic distribution… • Matt Tieger, game director to talk about the game development. To talk about some additional material. o Iacon, backgrounds o Iacon wastelands, Sea of Rust, really quite spectacular o Yes there are insecticons o The guy I REALLY wanted to talk about…. Combiner was the one we wanted.. BRUTICUS! Easy choice for us o Because of the unique personalites... Vortex has a big part of the story. o On the other side of the challenge spectrum Blastoff but they managed to come up w/ a fantastic design that even included his chocolate brown color scheme!o Then showed us game play, what it’s like to play as BRUTICUS! o Individual Giant Transformers wrecking havoc on the world of Cybertron. Devastatingly huge compared to others… o As anticipated, game play/graphics look very impressive: In Bruticus form: Vortex blades as shield weapon. Blastoff engines forearm as blaster. Laying waste to armies of Autobots. Wow! Glowing w/ Dark energon, individual components each have their own abilities.o Then another segment intro. Game play as Megatron, Cliffjumper, Jazz, Grimlock chowing down on Insecticons…. WOW. Crowd goes wild. o Then they start to talk toys! Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Shockwave. All new molds, very sharp, very detailed… o Fall of Cybertron coming in the fall of 2012, Blastoff, Vortex, Brawl, Swindle, Onslaught, which of course UNITE! o Big news here, Generations line is EXPANDING. 20? nope, 30? nope In 2014 Generations line will expand to OVER 40 figures.